U.S. patent number 9,097,346 [Application Number 13/837,197] was granted by the patent office on 2015-08-04 for closure lip seal relief.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sypris Technologies, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Sypris Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Clifford M. Rowland, William L. Schmidt.
United States Patent |
9,097,346 |
Rowland , et al. |
August 4, 2015 |
Closure lip seal relief
Abstract
A closure comprises a hub with a central opening and a head
pivotally connected to the hub, the head sealing the central
opening when in a closed position. A lip seal relief is defined by
a stepped surface between the head and the hub so that when the
head is closed, the relief or clearance is provided between the
head and hub inhibiting damage to a seal.
Inventors: |
Rowland; Clifford M.
(Simpsonville, KY), Schmidt; William L. (Leitchfield,
KY) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sypris Technologies, Inc. |
Louisville |
KY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sypris Technologies, Inc.
(Louisville, KY)
|
Family
ID: |
53718872 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/837,197 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J
15/02 (20130101); F16J 13/20 (20130101); F16J
13/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
53/02 (20060101); F16J 15/02 (20060101); B65D
45/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;220/232,378 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
"Twinlock Quick Opening Closure," Informational Pamphlet, on
www.pipelineequipment.com; Oct. 16, 2013. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Yu; Mickey
Assistant Examiner: Eloshway; Niki
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Middleton Reutlinger
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A closure lip seal relief, comprising: a hub having a peripheral
body and a central opening of circular shape; a head movable into
and out of said hub to close or open said closure, respectively;
said head having an outer peripheral edge, an inwardly facing
surface and an outwardly facing surface; a seal groove located
along said inwardly facing surface of said head and adjacent said
outer peripheral edge, said groove having a radially inner end and
a radially outer end, each of said inner end and said outer end
positioned opposite an opposed facing surface of said hub; a seal
disposed within said seal groove and engaging said opposed facing
surface of said hub; a step located along one of said head and said
hub, said step being adjacent to said groove when said head is
moved into said hub to close said closure; wherein a clearance is
created between said hub and said head, said seal at least
partially located within said clearance so that said seal is not
engaging said opposed facing surface prior to pressurization within
said hub, and said seal engages said opposed facing surface after
said pressurization of said hub.
2. The closure lip seal relief of claim 1 wherein said step is
disposed radially inwardly of said seal groove.
3. The closure lip seal relief of claim 2 wherein said clearance is
disposed radially outwardly of said seal groove.
4. The closure lip seal relief of claim 1 wherein said step is
disposed radially outwardly of said seal groove.
5. The closure lip seal relief of claim 4 wherein said clearance is
disposed radially inwardly of said seal groove.
6. The closure lip seal relief of claim 1, said seal groove being
substantially square in section.
7. A closure lip seal relief, comprising: a hub having a peripheral
body and a central opening of circular shape; a head movable into
and out of said hub to close or open said closure, respectively;
said head having an outer peripheral edge, an inwardly facing
surface and an outwardly facing surface; a seal groove located
along said inwardly facing surface of said head and adjacent said
outer peripheral edge, said seal groove having a radially inner end
disposed directly opposite an opposed facing surface of said hub; a
seal disposed within said seal groove; a step disposed on said hub
and extending toward said head an axial distance greater than a
surrounding radial surface of said hub, said step being one of
radially inward or outward of said seal groove when said head is
moved into said hub to close said closure; said step creating a
clearance near the other of radially inward or outward of said seal
groove, wherein said seal does not engage said opposed facing
surface prior to pressurization of said hub and does engage said
opposed facing surface after pressurization.
8. The closure lip seal relief of claim 7, said step having at
least one tapered surface.
9. The closure lip seal relief of claim 7, said step having at
least one engagement surface which is rounded.
10. The closure lip seal relief of claim 7, said step having an
engagement surface which is flat.
11. A closure lip seal relief, comprising: a hub having a
peripheral body and a central opening of circular shape; a head
movable into and out of said hub to close or open said closure,
respectively; said head having an outer peripheral edge and an
inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface; a seal
groove located along said inwardly facing surface of said head and
adjacent said outer peripheral edge, said seal groove having a
radially inner end positioned opposite a hub surface; a seal
disposed within said seal groove and engaging said hub surface; a
step disposed on said head and extending toward said hub one of
radially inward or outward of said seal groove; said step creating
a clearance near the other of radially inward or outward of said
seal groove, said seal expanding toward said hub surface after
pressurization to engage said hub and thereby inhibit compression
damage of said seal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS
None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Present embodiments relate generally to a closure for a pressure
vessel or pipe. More specifically, but not by way of limitation,
present embodiments relate to a relief structure for a lip seal
utilized with a closure mechanism for a pressure vessel or
pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
Closures for pressure vessels and pipes typically utilize a round
door or head adapted to fit in the aperture of a body or hub. The
hub is connected to a vessel or pipe system or other structure
which is typically pressurized. The door or head is lockingly
engaged to the hub when in the closed position so that the system
or vessel may be pressurized without unknowingly allowing for
opening of the head from the hub.
A bore or aperture of the hub has an inner circumferential groove
for supporting a portion of a locking member. The door has a
locking ring proximate a circumferential portion of an outer
surface of the door wherein the locking ring is engaged to
cooperate with the groove about the aperture after the door is
closed and seated in the aperture. The locking ring is typically
biased by a band, ring or segment which is caused to expand or
contract, causing the same expansion or contraction of the locking
ring to lock or unlock the head from the hub. The locking ring may
be formed of one or more segments or may be a unitary
structure.
Some closure mechanisms for pressure vessels utilize a seal between
the head and the hub in order to inhibit leakage of pressurized
fluid from the inside of the closure to the outside. Additional to
this point, some seals are designed to be oversized so as to
provide and improve the seal between the head and the hub. In
certain embodiments, the closure is oriented for use on a vertical
pipe such that the head is in a horizontal plane and the weight of
the head aids to retain the head against or within the hub. In
these embodiments, where a seal is used, it is common for seals to
incur damage due to the continuous weight of the head pressing the
seal against the hub. In alternate embodiments where the head is in
a vertical plane, the head may be so tightly locked in the hub so
as to damage the seal. When the seal is oversized, it is possible
that the seal may carry much of the load of the head. Over time,
this causes damage to the seal and therefore, may result in leakage
at the closure.
It would be desirable to overcome these and other deficiencies and
provide structure which compensates for the problems associated
with overloading of a lip seal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to some embodiments, a closure lip seal relief comprises
a hub having a peripheral body and a central opening of circular
shape, a head is moveable into and out of said hub to close or open
the closure, respectively, the head has an outer peripheral edge
and an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, a
seal groove is located along the inwardly facing surface of the
head and adjacent to the outer peripheral edge, a seal is disposed
within the seal groove and engages an inwardly facing surface of
the hub, a step is located along one of the head and the hub,
adjacent to the seal groove creating a clearance between the
inwardly facing surface of the head and an engaging surface of the
hub, the clearance allows the seal to expand toward the inner
surface of the hub, the step carries the weight of the hub or
alternatively receives force created between the head and the hub
when the head is in a closed position within the hub. The closure
lip seal relief wherein the step is disposed radially inwardly of
the seal groove. The closure lip seal relief wherein the clearance
is disposed radially outwardly of the seal groove. The closure lip
seal relief wherein the step is disposed radially outwardly of the
seal groove. The closure lip seal relief wherein the clearance is
disposed radially inwardly of the seal groove. The closure lip seal
relief wherein the seal groove is substantially square in
section.
A closure lip seal relief, comprises a hub having a peripheral body
and a central opening of circular shape, a head movable into and
out of the hub to close or open the closure, respectively, the head
having an outer peripheral edge and an inwardly facing surface and
an outwardly facing surface, a seal groove located along the
inwardly facing surface of the head and adjacent to the outer
peripheral edge, a seal disposed within the seal groove and
engaging an inwardly facing surface of the hub, the inwardly facing
surface of the head having a seal groove disposed near the
peripheral edge, a step disposed on the hub and extending toward
the head one of radially inward or outward of the seal groove, the
step creating a clearance near the other of radially inward or
outward of the seal groove. The closure lip seal relief wherein the
step has at least one tapered surface. The closure lip seal relief
wherein the step has at least one engagement surface which is
rounded. The closure lip seal relief wherein the step has an
engagement surface which is flat.
A closure lip seal relief, comprises a hub having a peripheral body
and a central opening of circular shape, a head movable into and
out of the hub to close or open said closure, respectively, the
head having an outer peripheral edge and an inwardly facing surface
and an outwardly facing surface, a seal groove located along the
inwardly facing surface of the head and adjacent the outer
peripheral edge, a seal disposed within the seal groove and
engaging an inwardly facing surface of the hub, the inwardly facing
surface of the head having a seal groove disposed near the
peripheral edge, a step disposed on the head and extending toward
the hub one of radially inward or outward of the seal groove, the
step creating a clearance near the other of radially inward or
outward of the seal groove.
All of the above outlined features are to be understood as
exemplary only and many more features and objectives of the
invention may be gleaned from the disclosure herein. Therefore, no
limiting interpretation of this summary is to be understood without
further reading of the entire specification, claims, and drawings
included herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Embodiments, which may be preferred and exemplary, together with
further objects and advantages thereof, are more particularly
described in the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary closure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second exemplary closure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 2 in an open
position;
FIG. 4 is a section view of the exemplary closure of FIG. 2 in a
closed position;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a first lip relief
embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a second lip relief
embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a third lip relief
embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a fourth lip relief embodiment;
and,
FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate closure embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not
limited in their application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are capable
of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also,
it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used
herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded
as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and
variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," "in
communication with" and "mounted," and variations thereof herein
are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections,
couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms "connected" and
"coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or
mechanical connections or couplings.
Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the
specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are
intended to exemplify various embodiments and that other
alternative mechanical configurations are possible.
As referred to herein, the term axially means in the direction of
the axis of the hub 12. Also, the term radially refers to the
direction of a radius, for example from the axis of the hub toward
the outer circumference thereof, or vice-versa.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, closures are provided which include a
lip seal relief. The relief or clearance is formed by a step
extending from one of the head or the hub toward the other of the
head or the hub. The clearance allows a seal is disposed in a seal
groove to expand toward the opposed head or hub. This inhibits the
seal being damaged by the weight or force of the door closing
against the seal.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a perspective view one embodiment of
an alternative closure 10 is depicted. The closure 10 includes a
hub 12 having a central bore or opening 13. The hub 12 of the
exemplary embodiment is annular in shape however, the hub 12 may
take various shapes other than the circular cross-section shape
depicted. The head 14 is blocked from view in FIG. 1 by a cover
plate 30. This cover plate 30 encloses an actuator mechanism,
according to the exemplary embodiment but according to some
embodiments may not be utilized depending on the structure used to
open and close the closure 10. The hub 12 is weldable to the
pressure vessel 11 or other system, such as a tank, pipeline, or
enclosure subjected to pressure differential. The instant closure
is mounted in a vertical configuration meaning the opening of the
closure is facing upward or vertically or has a surface in a
substantially horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the closure 10
does not utilize a hinge structure to open the head 14 from the hub
12, however a hinged design is also within the scope of the instant
embodiments as will be shown and described further herein.
A post 20 extends from the cover 30 and provides a pivot axis for
an actuator positioned therebelow. As noted before, rotation of the
cover 30 causes movement of the actuator mechanism to move the
locking segments into and out of engagement with the hub 12. A
handle 32 is connected to the cover 30 to provide a means to pivot
or rotate the cover 30 wherein such movement causes axial and
rotational movement of an actuator below the cover 30.
A plurality of lugs are disposed about the outer perimeter of the
hub 12. The lugs 12a, 12b and 12c allow lifting of the hub 12 or
the closure assembly 10 for positioning on pipe or extension of a
vessel. This configuration is typically utilized, although not
limited to, a vertically configured pipe or extension wherein the
surface of the cover 30 lies in a generally horizontal plane and
the central opening 13 is also disposed in a horizontal plane.
The embodiment further comprises a davit 40. The davit 40 provides
mechanical force through an input handle or crank assembly 42 to
lift or lower the head 14. The davit includes a vertically
extending post 44, a curved shoulder 46 and an arm 48 which extends
horizontally over the head 14 of the closure 10. The curved
shoulder 46 allows pivoting of arm 319 about the vertical axis of
the post 44. An end of the arm 48 includes a crank assembly 42
which is rotatable to either lift or lower the head 314. An axial
strut 50 is connected to the crank assembly 42 and may be connected
by fastener or permanent connection, for example by welding, or
integrally formed with, to the cover 30. Thus when the crank or
handle assembly 42 rotates, the strut 50 raises or lowers the head.
Similarly, the davit 40 may be utilized to lower the head 14 into
the hub 12 as desired.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an alternate closure
110 is depicted. The closure 110 comprises a hub 112 and a head 114
which is pivotally connected to the hub 112 by hinge assembly 116.
The closure 110 differs from the embodiment previously discussed in
that the closure 110 is mounted, generally, on a horizontal pipe or
vessel portion so that the axis of the hub 112 is horizontal and
the head 114 is generally disposed in a vertical plane.
Accordingly, this embodiment utilizes a hinge assembly 116 which
allows the head 114 to be controllably removed from the hub 112 or
re-inserted into the hub 112.
The closure 110 allows access to the pressure vessel or other
system by way of the openable head 114. The head 114 is shown
having a circular shape which fits within the bore 113 of the hub
112. When the head 114 is in the closed position as shown in FIG.
2, the pipe system or pressure vessel to which the closure 110 is
connected may be pressurized. The hinge assembly 116 allows the
head 14 to move from the closed position to an open position. In
the open position, the head allows access to a pipe or pressure
vessel or other pressurized system 11 (FIG. 1) to which the closure
110 is attached.
The hinge 116 may take various forms. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the hinge assembly 116 includes at least one first
hinge arm 117 and a second hinge arm 118 pivotally connected to the
at least one first hinge arm 117. The second hinge arm 118 is
connected to a third hinge arm 119 in pivotal fashion so that a
double pivoting structure is provided in order to connect the head
114 to the hub 112. The at least one first hinge arm 117 is
connected to the head 114 and may be integrally connected, such as
by welding, or may be a bolted connection such as shown in the
figure. The second hinge arm 118 has a first end and a second end.
The first end is pivotally connected to the first pivot arm 117.
The second end is pivotally connected to the third pivot arm 119.
These pivotal connections between arms has a vertical pivot axis
about which motion occurs.
Extending through the head 114 and through a cover plate 130 is a
post 120 which connects to the third hinge arm 119. First the post
120 defines a structure about which the cover plate 130 may pivot.
The post 120 allows for structure to connect to the hinge assembly
16 so that the head 114 may be moved when an actuator is retracted.
This allows interior access to the hub 112 and the pressure vessel
or system.
Referring now to FIG. 9 briefly, an alternate closure embodiment
510 is depicted. The closure 510 includes a hub 512 and a head 514
with a hinge 516 allowing opening and closing of the head 514
relative to the hub. The instant embodiment includes a locking
assembly 517 which differs generally from the previous embodiments.
The structure utilizes a plurality of locking segments joined by a
band. The band may be actuated to move the locking segments into or
out of engagement with the hub 512. It should be understood from
the descriptions that various closures and locking assemblies may
be utilized with the instant lip seal relief and that any of the
embodiments provided are merely exemplary and should not be
considered limiting.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the closure 110 is
depicted with the closure 110 situated in an open position wherein
the door or head 114 is opened away from the hub 112. This allows
internal access to the hub 112 and pressure vessel or pressurized
system 11 (FIG. 1) after the vessel or system is depressurized. The
double pivoting function of the hinge is depicted wherein the
second hinge arm 118 is pivoted relative to the at least one first
hinge arm 17. Additionally, the third hinge arm 119 is pivoted
relative to the second hinge arm 18. Hence the two pivoting
functions of the hinge assembly 116. However, it should be
understood that a single pivot hinge assembly may be utilized or
other hinge assembly three or more pivots.
Additionally shown in FIG. 3 is the internal bore 113 of the hub
112 is shown with the head 114 removed therefrom. Also shown in the
figure is the cover plate 130 mounted on the post 120, as well as a
locking ring assembly 140 positioned adjacent to cover plate 130
and on the head 114. Within the wall defining the bore 113 is the
circumferential groove 121. The groove 121 receives elements of a
locking ring assembly 140. The cover plate 130 engages a portion of
the locking ring assembly 140 and sandwiches the assembly between a
surface of the head 114 and a rear surface of a cover plate 130. As
the cover plate rotates or pivots, the locking ring assembly 140 is
actuated to extend or retract, locking or unlocking the
assembly.
Also shown in FIG. 3, with the closure 110 open, the components of
the head 114 may be discussed. The head 114 includes a generally
circular peripheral edge 150. The peripheral edge 150 extends
between an outward facing side 151 (FIG. 4) of the head, upon which
the locking segment assembly 140 is disposed in the exemplary
embodiment, and an inwardly facing surface 152. The inwardly facing
surface 152 functions as an engagement surface which engages a
corresponding surface 154 of the hub 112.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a section view of the closure 110 is
depicted. In this view the engagement between the hub 112 and the
head 114 may be seen along interior surfaces of the hub 112. The
hub 112 is shown having a central bore 113 wherein the head 114 is
positioned. Within the hub 112, the head 114 includes a flat front
surface 151 and a tapered surface 153 extending outwardly from the
flat surface 151 to the radial edge of the hub 150. Moving axially
inward relative to the hub 112, the hub engagement surface 154
extends radially inward and tapered surface 157 extends to an
innermost surface of the head 114.
The hub 112 has at least one head engagement surface 154 which
varies the interior diameter of the hub 112. At the opening of the
hub 112 where the head 114 is inserted, the hub is of at least a
first diameter. Moving inwardly through the hub 112, upwardly in
the figure, the surface 154 inwardly in a radial direction at the
head engagement surface 154. The surface 154 is at an angle of
about 90 degrees to the peripheral edge 150 of the head 114 and the
adjacent surface of the hub 112. Although this angle is depicted as
90 degrees, this is not a limiting characteristic as various angles
may be utilized depending on the angle of surface 154 to adjacent
surfaces within the hub and also depending on the angle of the
engagement surface 152 or alternatively the angle of the peripheral
edge 150. In summary, the surface 154 need not be perpendicular to
the axis A of the hub 112.
The head engagement surface 154 extends radially inwardly and
engages the corresponding hub engagement surface 154. Along the
axially inward facing 152 is a sealing groove 156. The sealing
groove retains a seal 160 (FIGS. 5, 6) which inhibits leakage of
pressurized fluid between the hub 112 and the head 114. The seal
160 and sealing groove 156 extend circumferentially about the head
114. The seal 160 is recessed in the groove 156 but engages surface
154 of the hub when the system is pressurized. In alternative
embodiments, the groove 156 may be located in the hub and the seal
160 disposed therein.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a detail section view of a first
embodiment of a lip seal relief is depicted. In the detail section
view, the head engagement surface 154 is depicted adjacent to the
hub engagement surface 152 of the head 114. The seal groove 156 is
also shown within the head 114 near a peripheral edge 150
thereof.
Located along the engagement surface 154 is a step 170 which
extends in an axial direction closer to the head 152 than the
remaining portion of the hub 154. As a result, the step 170 creates
a clearance 172 between surface 152 and surface 154. In the instant
embodiment, the step 170 is located radially inwardly of the seal
groove 156. However, it is within the scope of the present
embodiments that the step be located radially outward of the seal
groove 156.
This step 170, according to the instant embodiment, has a surface
which is perpendicular to the axis A-A (FIG. 4) of the hub.
However, the step may alternatively include an engagement surface
which is angled at an angle other than 90 degrees to the hub axis
A-A. The step 170 is defined by a first leg 174 which extends from
the head engagement surface 154 and an opposite leg 176 which
defines a radially inner edge 176 of the hub 112. Additionally, it
should be noted that the leg 174 is parallel to the axis A-A of the
hub but may alternatively be disposed at an angle to the hub axis
A-A (FIG. 4). The step 170 is shown with a flat surface engaging
surface 152, however the step surface may be rounded or curved if
desirable.
Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment is shown wherein
the hub step 270 is located radially outward of the seal groove
156. The step 270 is positioned radially outward so that the
clearance 272 between the hub 112 and the head 114 is radially
inward of the seal 160. The clearance in either of these
embodiments allows the seal 160 to expand into the hub surface 154
so that the seal 160 is not crushed by the weight of the head 114
against the hub 112. In alternate embodiments, the seal 160 may
expand from the hub to the head. Additionally, one skilled in the
art will note the different cross sectional shape of the head 114
and the hub 112 from the previous embodiments. The closure lip seal
structures depicted in the disclosure may be utilized in various
embodiments of hubs and heads shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 and
therefore the specific shapes of heads and hubs shown in the
exemplary embodiments should not be considered limiting.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of a closure lip seal
relief is depicted. In this embodiment, the step 370 is shown
extending from the head 114 toward the hub 112. The step 370 is
radially outward of the seal groove 156 and the seal may be seated
within the groove 156. The step 370 is tapered along on side 176
toward said hub surface but may be tapered along both sides or may
be non-tapered. In the depicted embodiment, the step 370 is shown
radially outward of the seal groove 156. Accordingly, the clearance
372 is located radially inward of the seal groove 156.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a further embodiment is of the closure lip
seal relief is shown. In the instant embodiment, the step 470 is
again disposed extending from the head 114 toward the hub 112.
Additionally, the step 470 may extend on the radially inward side
of the seal groove 156. According to this embodiment, the clearance
472 is radially outward of the seal groove 156.
According to any of the embodiments, the step may take various
shapes and may be flat at the engagement surface with the opposite
head or hub. The step may be continuous about the head or hub or
alternatively may be formed of multiple circumferential
segments.
While several inventive embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing
the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive
embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those
skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no
more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of
example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and
equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive
embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if
such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods
are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive
scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood
to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents
incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined
terms.
The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."
The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and in the
claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should
be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined
above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or
"and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase
"at least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements,
should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any
one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not
necessarily including at least one of each and every element
specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding
any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This
definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one
step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not
necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the
method are recited.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,
Section 2111.03.
* * * * *
References